Cost Of Living
The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.
Housing
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.
Commute
Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.
Schools
Lower than average education levels, poor reading and math scores, as well as the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools could all be factors in the low schools score.
Columbia is a medium-sized city located in the state of Pennsylvania. The city has a population of 10,758 residents. With a population density of 4,457 people per square mile, Columbia is well above the nation's average density level. At 83%, the majority of the Columbia population is White; this is followed by 11% Black and 0% Asian. Single men and women might be happy to hear that in Columbia, only 49% of the population is married. On a daily basis, the typical American spends approximately 26 minutes on their one-way work commute. Reduced travel times not only contributes to increased overall happiness, but also affords more opportunities to cherish moments with family and friends. If you're living in Columbia, your commute time will align closely with the national average, spanning a one-way duration of approximately 24 minutes.
Whether you’re moving to a new area to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Columbia could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Pennsylvania if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. The best areas in Columbia and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from crime, commute, health & safety, education, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Pennsylvania and national averages.
Columbia has a livability score of 72 out of 100 and is ranked #526 in Pennsylvania and #5,432 in the USA. There are nine total categories that create the livability score. Columbia scores well for cost of living (A+) and housing (A+) Columbia does not rank well for the following: amenities (D) and education (D-). It might be wise to take a closer look at each category to find out why.
A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Columbia has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.
Assuming that Columbia meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Columbia. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Columbia are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Columbia come in at $225,319, which is 24% lower than the Pennsylvania average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Columbia, the home price to income ratio is 3.6, which is 2.7% lower than the Pennsylvania average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Columbia | Pennsylvania | National |
| Average one way commute | 24min | 26min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 79.9% | 76.5% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 8.5% | 8.5% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 4.0% | 5.6% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.5% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 3.4% | 3.8% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 2.8% | 4.2% | 4.6% |
Here are the best places to live in Pennsylvania
Check out the 10 most dangerous cities in Pennsylvania
Check out the 10 safest cities in Pennsylvania
Safest Cities In The US